2. Clear Procedure Standards.

Establishing clear process controls is important to achieve operational efficiency and avoid unforeseen expenditures due to misaligned procedures and output.

Customer satisfaction should drive all key personnel associated to supply chain and logistics. Thus they should always ensure full-adherence to quality codes and standards to optimize productivity and deliver value to their clients.

Typical logistic functions requiring strong compliance in relation to quality include:

receiving and shipping schedule;

inventory;

picking and packing;

shift scheduling;

quality control;

facilities management;

and tracking.

3. Key Performance Indicators.

Knowing the key areas of improvement is crucial to maximising logistics productivity. When the management focuses on things that matter the most, it will be able to avoid wasting of valuable resources.

For those new in the business, identify and focus on 5-7 most critical areas that drive the business, and directly assign a Key Performance Indicator for each so it can be tracked and measured.

Some of the top Key performance indicators surrounding logistics and supply chain businesses include, but not limited to:

Safety,

Service Delivery

Inventory Accuracy/Turns,

Employee Productivity

Cost per Unit/ Total Landed Cost

Product Damage/Claims

Customer Satisfaction

4. Workforce Motivation.

A motivated workforce is the backbone of a successful organization. To ensure that every employee is engaged, their core skills should be identified and aligned with the tasks where they can excel the most. Doing so helps maximize the potential of each employee and result in a continuous increase of productivity.

Here are other considerations to ensure a motivated workforce:

Equip them with the right tools and systems they need for their day-to-day job. This will help complete their tasks at hand much faster and more effectively, thus boosting their morale.

Create rewards and recognition system.

Add variety to work schedules and shifts. By enabling your staff to revolve tasks periodically, you also gain the benefit of a multi-skilled workforce, allowing you to adjust your workforce level if someone gets sick or demand-specific activity hits a peak.

5. Employee Training Program.

Implementing a robust training program will keep your workforce updated with the latest tactics and tools used in the logistics operations, which is important if you want to stay relevant in your competition.

Here are the guidelines for establishing a training program for your employees:

Create a comprehensive plan which details specific business goals.

Identify the most important skills required to improve efficiency and effectiveness of each of the team member in your logistics operation.

Use an external training company or hire certified professional as in-house trainers.

Consider online training courses and packs so that your employees can still access them whilst on the go or offsite.

Create a schedule that enables all relevant employees to benefit as soon as possible, without affecting the workforce level of your operations.